with venom on your tongue » l.s.

7 | LOUIS

Louis startled at the knock on his door. A quick glance at the clock on his desk told him it was close to eight in the morning, which made him realize he hadn't moved from this spot for the last four hours. That wasn't good. He groggily shifted in his chair, feeling achy all over, and stood up. His joints cracked and creaked with each step he took toward the door. His vision felt clouded and he blinked several times, trying to ignore how his eyes burned from dryness.

Liam stood on the other side of the door and Louis offered him a smile, moving to the side and inviting him inside. "Morning," he said. "Wasn't expecting you."

Liam's eyes scanned around the room and he gave Louis a wary look as he sat down on his still-made bed. "I texted you. Didn't you see it?"

"Ah, no," Louis said, walking over to his desk where his phone lay face down and neglected. "Sorry. What's up?"

"Just came to return your English notes." He bent down to retrieve them from his backpack and placed them on Louis' bed. "Do you have class this morning?"

"Not for a couple of hours. I have a free period first," Louis yawned as he took a seat on his chair again.

"Lou, have you slept?" Liam asked, a slight frown on his face. "No offense, but you look awful."

Louis shook his head. "Nope. I have that History exam I told you about later today."

Liam sighed quietly, his eyes softening as he looked at Louis. "You pulled an all-nighter last night, too. Tell me you at least took a nap at some point yesterday or overnight."

"I couldn't," Louis shook his head. "I didn't have time."

"That's not a reason to not sleep for two nights in a row," Liam said admonishingly. "You're going to seriously crash and get sick."

"I'll be fine," Louis waved him off despite yawning another time. "I would have to pull several more all-nighters to actually crash."

"Please don't."

"I won't," Louis reassured him. "I'll sleep tonight after my History exam. Promise."

A crease formed between Liam's brows as he stared down at his hands. "Louis...I'm worried."

"I'll be okay, Liam. I have done this before, you know," Louis reminded him, giving him a look.

"Still."

"What are you so worried about?" he asked, exasperated.

Louis couldn't figure out why Liam was acting like this was something new. He was well aware of Louis' study habits and routines and never had an issue with them before. Well, he never voiced concern, at least. There was just a lot going on at once right now. When Louis had multiple exams back to back, he got overwhelmed and did what he needed to in order to ensure he did well. That was what mattered the most and Liam knew that. Louis was totally fine, if a bit tired. He will come back to his dorm after the exam and take the longest nap of all time.

"I'm worried about you," Liam said. "Something's going on with you, Lou. You've been going real hard about schoolwork lately and haven't come up for air since you got back from Beacon Hills."

Louis grew quiet at his words. His eyes were stinging and he slowly blinked, hoping that would help, but he probably needed to wash his face and rub some water into them. He might have some eye drops somewhere. God, Louis was so exhausted and he was not at all in the right mindset to have this conversation with Liam. If he started explaining everything, he'd mentally exhaust himself as well. What Louis needed to do was have some more Red Bull, and coffee, and fucking ace this History exam. Why did Liam have to bring all of this up now?